Short Story Journey

The Last Night Together Under Moonlight

As Raylem stood at the edge of the cliff staring down at the field of monsters that threatened the land he protected he composed himself, feeling the power of the moon surging through his veins. He turned his head slightly at the presence behind him, it was the man he loved, Oz.

"You're going down there aren't you...?" sadness riddled in his question. Raylem turned and gave him a soft smile.

"I have to. It's my duty to protect these sacred lands." he could tell Oz didn't like his answer. Oz took a step closer and took his hands.

"Don't go... Please..." Oz pleaded. "You know what will happen if you tap into your power again after so long..." he gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Raylem gave him a nod, "I know, but we both know I can't just stand by and let these creatures terrorize this place." he brought his hands up to his love's face. "I have to protect you."

Tears threatened to fall down Oz's cheeks. "I can't do it without you, I need you by my side." Raylems eyes softened at his words.

"I won't be gone truly. I know the price that I will pay for tapping into my powers again," he brings Oz's head against his. "but if it means I can know you're safe that is all that matters." Oz closed his eyes as tears clouded his vision hoping he would wake up from a nightmare. But to no avail. Raylem kissed him deeply, making Oz wrap his arms around him tightly not wanting to let him go.

Raylem pulled back from the kiss and cupped his lover's cheek "I love you Oz." Oz looked at him sullenly.

"I love you too..."

He gave Oz a smile and turned back towards the big hoard of creatures. One final look back to his love. He gently put his hands together and began to resonate his magical energy to the full glowing moon above. Beautiful bluish green mana began to swirl around his body. He knew he had to use his body as a focusing lens for the moon's power, it was the ultimate power, for the ultimate price, his life. Without a second longer of hesitation he lept high into the sky bracing for the power he was about to channel. His bright mana caught the attention of the monsters like a moth to a flame.

He held out his hand as the primal mana condensed into the palm of his hand. Raylem's hand trembled trying to control the pressure. After a few moments of holding it, he took one more breath in and exhaled 'flow" on command the condensed magic surged down to destroy many of the monsters before him. The volatile beams decimated the smaller creature in a flash while the bigger ones tried to block it with their own dark magic. Raylem dashed through the sky at the speed of light, spearing his body through any of the creatures that dared to challenge him in the air. He kept his momentum as he created multiple beams of energy to rain down on the creatures that kept their barriers up. The beams slowly weakened the shields but he knew he couldn't waste a single moment. He crashed down on the shield with the beams, shattering it. Once the shield was broken he sent his fist into the giant creature's head causing a blast of energy to surge through its body and explode with moon energy. The resulting explosion spread to the other minions that wear in the shield's area and burned them away instantly.

He turned to see the other monsters preparing their own dark magic attacks. He turned to react but his body felt a pain shoot through it. He knew the feeling, the backlash of the primal moon magic was already affecting him. Beams of dark magic shot out towards him, he dashed out of the way quickly taking a tumble as he slowly began to find it difficult to concentrate. As the monsters turned to him a plan was quickly made in his head. In a flash he dashed and shattered his way into another shield. In a split second he nearly brought his hands together to charge the energy. Within the next moment everything around him detonated in volatile moon energy.

Raylem fell to one knee the effects panging against his body like a heart to a ribcage. He turned towards the last batch of enemies and stood up. He dashed once again towards the shield but quickly dodged last second as the barrier sprung out dark spikes. With the clock ticking he knew what he had to do. Flying up to the sky he used everything he had to concentrate the mana in his body to resonate with the mana on the moon. He raised his hand up revealing a small glowing moon, it glowed as if it was its own star he plucked from the sky. Before anything could react Raylem brought his hand down sending a giant energy beam from the moon down to the final combatants. The pure concentrated energy hit Raylem in the process.

After a few moments the beam slowly disappears. Oz observed the land completely battle scarred, but no creature remained. They won. He tried to look for Raylem in the sky but saw nothing. Tears ran down his cheeks as he fell to his knees. He shut his eyes and cried, as he slowly felt two arms wrap around him. He looked up to see a very weak Raylem, his body slowly breaking down into moon energy itself. Raylem put on his smile and cupped his cheeks weakly.

"I love you Oz. Never forget that."

He looked at him silently as he began to fade more. As he was about to say something Raylem kissed him one final time. Oz took the last chance to feel his lips, he closed his eyes till he felt nothing there at all. When he opened them he saw the last of Raylem floating up to the glowing moon.

"I... I love you too..."

End.